Mount Kenya Hike Self-Guided on a Budget

Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa behind Kilimanjaro, and one of the main attractions when visiting Kenya. This volcanic mountain stands at 5,199 meters (17,057 Feet) and is a haven for experienced trekkers and mountain climbers. Most national parks in Kenya and in neighboring Tanzania are very expensive. However, the national parks in Kenya do not need a guide when hiking, unlike parks in Tanzania. This makes a huge difference in the cost for those who are budget conscience. Sure, hiking Kili is an amazing feat and for some, it is out of the question to hike somewhere else. Tackling the tallest mountain in Africa is impressive. With that said, Mount Kenya is actually a more challenging hike and many think is a more beautiful and dramatic mountain. Ohh and let’s not forget, it is MUCH cheaper.

Mount Kenya Views near Lenana

This mountain is a high altitude mountain and extremely steep. While you can go to Mount Kenya on your own to keep some money in your pocket, it is a serious mountain and comes with serious consequences. Altitude sickness occurs here often, so proper acclimatization is serious. If you are not an experienced trekker, you have two options that can help you on this hike, by hiring a guide or getting full coverage with a guide, porter, and transport. If you are experienced in high altitudes, you can do this hike entirely self-guided and it is incredibly rewarding.

Prepare for High Altitudes and Steep Ascents

How to Get to Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is roughly 3 hours north of Nairobi. You can hire a private car or take the public matatu (350 shillings) to Naro Moro/Nanyuki depending on your route. Nanyuki is a bigger town and will be easier to arrange everything if going without a guide, yet you can still get everything done from Naro Moru. Nanyuki is the start to the popular Sirimon Route, while Naro Moru is the start to the Naro Moru route.

The Nora Moru plateau on Mount Kenya near McKinders Hut

Where to Stay

If staying in Naro Moru, stay at Batian’s View, where the owner Fred and manager Mary are extremely helpful and can help prepare you for your climb by providing maps, helpful information about the trails, and truths about booking guides on Mount Kenya. See their website (http://batiansview.com/) for more information. If you are a mountain climber coming with your sights set on Batian Peak, Fred is also your guy!

Important Guide and Booking Info

While there likely are good companies to arrange for hiking in Mount Kenya, it is also important to know the truth about booking guides for Mount Kenya. On several occasions, guides lied to us so it is. We had a friend forced to skip a night at Old Moses Camp going up Sirimon and went straight to Shipton’s Camp at 13,800 feet, a dangerous move not allowing for proper acclimatization. Make sure your guide takes safety seriously. On several occasions, guides will tell you that you cannot book a 3-day hike, so you pay for a 4-day hike, but they take you on a 3-day hike pocketing the extra $50 US per person that they will charge you. They may tell you that you cannot backcountry camp, you must pay extra to camp. They will try to pocket as much money as possible when there is little truth to what is being told. The only time it is a requirement to book a guide is if you are hiking alone, as the park allows only groups of 2 or more to hike unguided. This also applies to rock climbing in the park.

The backside of Batian – the view’s from the Sirimon Route

Guide Costs

If you choose to book guide services, try not to go through a middleman, and book directly with the guide who will go with you on your hike. We were quoted a price of $130 USD per day per person, for a 4-day hike, which covers all park fees, guides, porter, cook, and accommodation, so that is around the top price to pay for booking full service. To cut these costs down, just ask for a breakdown of each cost (listed in USD), which are priced as follows:

• Park Entry 3-day $170 per person OR 4-day $220 per person depending on your route
• Guide ~$100 total
• Porter ~$80 total
• Camping Fee $20 per person at park entry
• Camping will cost extra 500 Ksh per night at hut’s OR camp free at the Ranger Stations
• Lodging costs if not camping, beds at the huts are $20 per bed per night
• Food – can range from $30 to $60 per person when paying them to buy the food
• Transport – can range from $30 to $60 for a private car on the Sirimon Route

Summit of Lenana with views of Batian

How to Book a Guide on a Budget

Make sure to discuss the route and the itinerary for each day. Most hikes are a 3 night, 4-day hike, so be clear on exactly whether you can meet the 24-hour threshold of making this a 3-day hike. Likely, that is already the plan, so only agree to pay for the 3-day permit, not the 4-day permit. You can always pay more at the park gate when you leave if you leave later than expected. Hiring a guide should cost you $80 to $100 USD for the trip. The guide can carry your food and cook your food, which can eliminate the need for a porter and cook if you are a solo hiker or group of 2.

Buy all the food yourself to cut costs significantly. Agree to camp at Ranger Stations, which are at no additional cost to the one-time $20 camping fee. Cutting down costs of transport can also be possible, if you are going on the Sirimon Route, you can hire a moto-taxi to take you to and from Nanyuki for the hike. On the Naro Moru Route, 2-3 miles from the park gate there are Matatu’s which can take you all the way back to Naro Moru for 70 shillings. By booking this trip the right way, it should get your costs down between $250 and $350 USD per person for the entire hike.

Sunrise is popular at Peak Lenana

National Park Fees (USD)

• 3 Day entry is $170 per person*
• 4 Day entry is $220 per person*
• There are also 5 and 6-day permits for longer excursions
• Camping Fee $20 per person for the entire stay
• Huts cost $20 per bed per night, paid directly at the hut

*Please note, these 3 or 4-day entry prices are for 24 hour periods. If you enter the park on a Monday at 1 PM, that means with a 3-day permit, you can leave the park on Thursday by 1 PM.

McKinders Camp on Nora Moru Route

Camping on Mount Kenya

If you do not have your own camping gear but want to camp, you can rent gear in Naro Moru or Nanyuki. Naro Moru has a small store called Mount Kenya Expeditions, which rents gear or will get you in touch with someone who has what you need. They are located on the street behind the Chieni Supermarket. Nanyuki has several options for rentals, just ask one of the many guides in town who will approach you asking if you already have a guide.

Camping costs an extra one time $20 US per person for your entire stay, which covers all “backcountry camping.” This means, camping anywhere on Mount Kenya, but not at one of the huts. If you want to camp at Met Station, McKinders, Old Moses Camp, or Shipton’s Camp, you will have to pay 5,000 shillings to camp there, giving you access to their facilities. The other option which we preferred, was to camp at the Ranger Stations for no additional cost. Ranger stations have toilets and running water, and they were extremely friendly and helpful if you need anything. You always can backcountry camp anywhere you choose on Mount Kenya as well, just make sure to be near a water source.

Summit of Lenana

Hiking Routes

Naro Moru Route

The shortest and most direct route up to Peak Lenana, this route was once one of the most popular but has been hit by tourism due to the construction of a new road from the park gate up to the highway. While it may not be the most scenic hiking up day 1 on this road, this hike is the cheapest option, as you can connect the hike with a Matatu rather than booking a private car or taxi. It is more challenging than other routes, in particular, a steep section near the vertical bog, and getting from McKinders up to Peak Lenana is extremely steep. Start from Naro Moru to get to the park gate to start your hike. Camp at the Ranger Stations next to Met Station and McKinders for your nights on the mountain.

Check out full details on the Naro Moru Route and Summit Circuit HERE.

View from Naro Moru Route; It is a STEEP hike up to Lenana

Sirimon Route

This very scenic route is more gradual and a little longer than Naro Moru, going through a beautiful valley to the back side of Mount Kenya which comes with the best views of the mountain. It is the best hike for those who are not as experienced with high altitude mountains. Start this hike from Nanyuki, where you must get a taxi, moto-taxi, or private car to take you to the park gate to start your hike (and pick you up when finished). Camp at the Ranger Stations next to Old Moses camp and Shipton’s camp for your nights on the mountain.

The view from the Sirimon Route Past Shipton’s Camp

Chogoria Route

This route begins from Chogoria town and is longer than the other common routes. The route begins 32km from the park gate, so commonly a 4×4 car hire is arranged. From the gate, you walk through a forest with lots of fauna and animals, with the possibility of seeing elephants and leopards. This hike is typically completed in 5 days and is considered by some the most scenic of all routes up Mount Kenya.

Amazing Local Fauna

Summit Circuit

The summit circuit is the best way to see the full beauty of Mount Kenya, but absolutely should not be attempted unless you are an experienced hiker. You can start the circuit from the summit of Peak Lenana and can come from any direction. The circuit comes with some grueling ascents and descents all while hiking at the high altitude of 14,000 feet to 16,000 feet, encircling the peaks to make this a very long but amazing day hike.

Check out full details on the Naro Moru Route and Summit Circuit HERE.

Hiking the Summit Circuit Above Oblong Tarn

Hike Suggestions

Best Beginner or Intermediate Hike – Sirimon Route
Best Hike on a Budget (Intermediate to Advanced) – Naro Moru Route
Top Overall Hike – Sirimon Route and the Summit Circuit

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